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FIFA presidency: Who are the candidates to replace Sepp Blatter?
Sepp Blatter is leaving. He's really leaving.
Tuesday's revelation that the Swiss administrator, 79, would resign his post as FIFA president left many a jaw on the floor, as the astounding announcement sent shock waves through the sporting world.
But that surprise quickly gave way to a glaring, obvious question: now what? Or rather, now who? Blatter's decision to step down will result in a new FIFA president being anointed for the first time since 1998, when the embattled Swiss first won the seat.
An election is expected sometime between December 2015 and March 2016, and there are no shortage of candidates who will express interest in the throne that sits atop football's governing body.
Certain criteria must be met for interested parties to announce themselves as candidates for the soon-to-be vacant role, as ESPN FC notes:
According to FIFA rules, all potential candidates must have played an active role in football for at least two years and have the backing of at least five member associations.
So, who will replace Sepp Blatter? Let's take a look at some of the options.
Michel Platini
"Now is not my time, not yet."
That was the message from the French football icon last August, when he was expected to run in the recently completed election - he did not.
With Blatter now removed from the picture, it's difficult to envision a better time for Platini, who is without question one of the most powerful men in football. The Frenchman - a vocal opponent of Blatter - will need to obtain the support of many of the world's smaller football nations, who have long been concerned about UEFA coming to dominate the governing body.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein
FIFA'S former vice-president, who relinquished his role after falling to Blatter in Friday's election, is viewed by many as a legitimate beacon for change within football's governing body.
Whether that's the case, we may never know, though his performance in Friday's election - where he received 73 first-round votes from the 209 members, forcing a second round before he ultimately conceded defeat - was a sign the young candidate may be able to galvanize the organization.
"I’m always there to serve football. We have to do so much work to fix this organisation. I am at the disposal of our national associations," he said after Blatter's resignation.
Now, he may get the opportunity to serve.
Issa Hayatou
The Cameroonian, who stood against Blatter in the 2002 election, has a wealth of experience as a member of football's governing body, having been on the FIFA executive committee since 1990 - which makes him the organization's second-longest-serving member.
However, his past involvement in corruption scandals will likely prove a significant issue given recent events, as the Associated Press notes:
Hayatou was reprimanded by the IOC in 2011 for receiving $20,000 in cash in 1995 from FIFA's former marketing partner ISL. Hayatou denied wrongdoing, but the IOC said he was guilty of a conflict of interest. British newspaper The Sunday Times claimed in June 2014 that banned former Qatari official Mohamed bin Hammam targeted Hayatou and other African soccer leaders with cash, luxury trips and other gifts to support Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Hayatou has denied all allegations against him.
Luis Figo
The choice of the fans, to be sure.
The Portuguese icon - a former World Player of the Year - pulled out of the FIFA presidency running eight days prior to the recent election. Though he has the necessary popularity, he does lack in experience.
You wouldn't know it by reading his statement after Blatter's resignation, which read like that of a seasoned politician:
"A good day for FIFA and for football," the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder wrote. "Change is finally coming. I said on Friday that the day would come sooner or later. Here it is! Now we should, responsibly and calmly, find a consensual solution worldwide in order to start new era of dynamism, transparency and democracy in FIFA."
Michael van Praag
The Dutchman, similar to his Portuguese counterpart, withdrew his candidacy for last week's election seven days before the vote. It is, however, unclear if he will throw his hat into the ring once again, as the former Ajax chairman said he will take time to assess his course of action.
"I am going to first of all meet with different parties in Berlin ... Then I will be able to clarify my plans," he said Tuesday.
On the UEFA executive committee since 2009, van Praag is viewed as an outsider in the (very early) assessment of the race for FIFA presidency.
Odds
The sportsbooks have weighed in with their view of the situation, deeming Platini - not surprisingly - the betting favorite to succeed Blatter:
(Courtesy: SportsCenter)
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Continue reading...
Sepp Blatter is leaving. He's really leaving.
Tuesday's revelation that the Swiss administrator, 79, would resign his post as FIFA president left many a jaw on the floor, as the astounding announcement sent shock waves through the sporting world.
But that surprise quickly gave way to a glaring, obvious question: now what? Or rather, now who? Blatter's decision to step down will result in a new FIFA president being anointed for the first time since 1998, when the embattled Swiss first won the seat.
An election is expected sometime between December 2015 and March 2016, and there are no shortage of candidates who will express interest in the throne that sits atop football's governing body.
Certain criteria must be met for interested parties to announce themselves as candidates for the soon-to-be vacant role, as ESPN FC notes:
According to FIFA rules, all potential candidates must have played an active role in football for at least two years and have the backing of at least five member associations.
So, who will replace Sepp Blatter? Let's take a look at some of the options.
Michel Platini
- Age: 59
- Position: President, UEFA (since 2007)
"Now is not my time, not yet."
That was the message from the French football icon last August, when he was expected to run in the recently completed election - he did not.
With Blatter now removed from the picture, it's difficult to envision a better time for Platini, who is without question one of the most powerful men in football. The Frenchman - a vocal opponent of Blatter - will need to obtain the support of many of the world's smaller football nations, who have long been concerned about UEFA coming to dominate the governing body.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein
- Age: 39
- Position: President, Jordan Football Association and West Asian Football Federation
FIFA'S former vice-president, who relinquished his role after falling to Blatter in Friday's election, is viewed by many as a legitimate beacon for change within football's governing body.
Whether that's the case, we may never know, though his performance in Friday's election - where he received 73 first-round votes from the 209 members, forcing a second round before he ultimately conceded defeat - was a sign the young candidate may be able to galvanize the organization.
"I’m always there to serve football. We have to do so much work to fix this organisation. I am at the disposal of our national associations," he said after Blatter's resignation.
Now, he may get the opportunity to serve.
Issa Hayatou
- Age: 68
- Position: President, Confederation of African Football (since 1988)
The Cameroonian, who stood against Blatter in the 2002 election, has a wealth of experience as a member of football's governing body, having been on the FIFA executive committee since 1990 - which makes him the organization's second-longest-serving member.
However, his past involvement in corruption scandals will likely prove a significant issue given recent events, as the Associated Press notes:
Hayatou was reprimanded by the IOC in 2011 for receiving $20,000 in cash in 1995 from FIFA's former marketing partner ISL. Hayatou denied wrongdoing, but the IOC said he was guilty of a conflict of interest. British newspaper The Sunday Times claimed in June 2014 that banned former Qatari official Mohamed bin Hammam targeted Hayatou and other African soccer leaders with cash, luxury trips and other gifts to support Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Hayatou has denied all allegations against him.
Luis Figo
- Age: 42
- Position: None
The choice of the fans, to be sure.
The Portuguese icon - a former World Player of the Year - pulled out of the FIFA presidency running eight days prior to the recent election. Though he has the necessary popularity, he does lack in experience.
You wouldn't know it by reading his statement after Blatter's resignation, which read like that of a seasoned politician:
"A good day for FIFA and for football," the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder wrote. "Change is finally coming. I said on Friday that the day would come sooner or later. Here it is! Now we should, responsibly and calmly, find a consensual solution worldwide in order to start new era of dynamism, transparency and democracy in FIFA."
Michael van Praag
- Age: 67
- Position: Chairman, Royal Dutch Football Association (since 2008)
The Dutchman, similar to his Portuguese counterpart, withdrew his candidacy for last week's election seven days before the vote. It is, however, unclear if he will throw his hat into the ring once again, as the former Ajax chairman said he will take time to assess his course of action.
"I am going to first of all meet with different parties in Berlin ... Then I will be able to clarify my plans," he said Tuesday.
On the UEFA executive committee since 2009, van Praag is viewed as an outsider in the (very early) assessment of the race for FIFA presidency.
Odds
The sportsbooks have weighed in with their view of the situation, deeming Platini - not surprisingly - the betting favorite to succeed Blatter:
(Courtesy: SportsCenter)
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Continue reading...
